Washington, March 16 (SANA) The United States has begun deploying additional Marine forces and assault ships to the Middle East as tensions escalate with Iran, according to U.S. media reports and sources speaking to Al Jazeera news channel.
American newspapers reported that the Pentagon ordered reinforcements of U.S. Marine Corps units and naval assault vessels to strengthen Washington’s military posture in the region in response to what officials described as Iranian threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The deployment comes as the U.S. news outlet Axios reported that President Donald Trump is considering the option of seizing Iran’s strategic Kharg Island, which hosts the country’s main oil export terminal.
U.S. officials told Axios that such an operation would require American ground forces if Iran continues detaining oil tankers or restricting navigation through the strait.
According to the officials, Trump “favors the idea of directly taking control of Kharg Island,” arguing that it could deliver a major economic blow to Tehran by cutting off a key source of revenue.
ABC News reported that orders have been issued for a Marine expeditionary unit of about 2,200 troops, along with 2,500 sailors aboard three U.S. Navy amphibious ships, to deploy toward the Middle East.
The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, permanently based in Japan and operating under the Indo-Pacific Command, includes F-35 fighter jets and MV-22 Osprey aircraft.
Sources said the deployment does not necessarily indicate plans for a ground operation inside Iran but aims to provide commanders with flexible land, air and amphibious assets should the situation escalate.
A U.S. defense official told Al Jazeera that the Marine expeditionary force stationed in Okinawa, Japan, will deploy to the region in support of ongoing U.S. operations related to Iran.
Commercial satellite images also showed the last known position of the U.S. amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, which carries about 1,600 Marines and roughly 25 aircraft and helicopters.
The vessel was observed moving near Taiwan after departing a U.S. base in Japan and is heading toward the area of responsibility of the U.S. Central Command in the Middle East.
The ship is equipped with F-35B fighter jets and other multi-role aircraft, as well as elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, expanding U.S. capabilities for air and amphibious operations.
The USS Tripoli is expected to arrive in the Arabian Gulf within one to two weeks, where it would join three U.S. aircraft carriers already operating in the region.
U.S. officials told CNN that the exact mission of the newly deployed Marines remains unclear and that their final location in the region has not yet been determined.
Marine expeditionary units are typically used for large-scale evacuations, ship-to-shore operations and amphibious assaults.
Around 30,000 U.S. troops are currently stationed across the Middle East, including Marine units deployed in several Gulf countries.
Despite statements from Trump administration officials that there are no immediate plans to deploy ground forces, they have not ruled out the possibility.
The deployment comes as Iran continues targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to rising global oil prices and higher shipping and insurance costs.
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